Supported housing in the community for people with mental illness who are eligible for a rehabilitation basket

What is a hostel

A hostel is a common rehabilitative housing framework for people with mental health needs.

Around 30 people live in the hostel which is in a house or in a residential building.

Usually, rooms are shared by 2 tenants.

Who can live in a hostel

Hostels are suitable for people who:

• are eligible for a rehabilitation basket (Rehabilitation Law 2000)
• cannot live alone due to reduced ability to function in day-to-day life
• need intensive and close supervision 24 hours a day

Who runs hostels and who supervises them

The hostels are operated by associations, organizations and private bodies (some are awarded a tender and others operate on a contractual basis), in accordance with the procedures and standards set by the Ministry of Health.
They are under the supervision of the Ministry of Health.

Hostel services and characteristics

Hostels are staffed with professional and paraprofessional staff that includes:

• social workers
• rehabilitation instructors who receive specific and ongoing training
• occupational therapists
• nurses
• psychologists and psychiatrists who serve as counselors.

They have support staff who provide individual and group support 24 hours a day.

The professional staff set and run a structured daily routine and constantly encourage residents to take an active part in activities.

Some hostels provide a framework for a specific population group, residents of the same age religion, gender, culture, type of illness, etc.

For example: hostels for young adults, hostels for people with eating disorders, hostel for people with more than one illness etc.

How many hostels are there

There are about 136 hostels around the country.

Vacancies aren’t always available at a specific hostel and waiting times can be quite long.

Who covers the cost of living at a hostel

All the expenses - rent, property tax (arnona), economy, etc. - are paid by the resident from their disability pension, National Insurance pay, and rent support from the Ministry of Housing and Construction.

Additional living costs, such as medicine, travel, clothing and more, are not included and need to be paid by the resident.

The Ministry of Health covers the employment costs of the hostel staff and activities.

"Supportive Community" model provides a support framework for people with mental illness to live in community apartments and receive intensive support from staff, 24 hours a day, similar to a hostel. Each community is home to about 60 people, with apartments located within a one kilometer radius from a central house that is also a meeting place.

Who can live in a ‘supportive community’

Supportive communities are for:

• people eligible for a rehabilitation basket
• who want to live independently, in community apartments
• and need immediate support and supervision from a social worker and rehabilitation counselors

What is sheltered housing – supported living in the community

Sheltered housing is for people with mental illness who:

• are able to function in daily life independently, but still need regular care and support
• don’t need as much care and support as people living in hostels

What are the sheltered housing options

People who live in sheltered housing:

• live in groups of 8 to 10 people
• live independently residential neighborhoods
• get support from professionals with day-to-day daily life tasks and activities.

Who operates the sheltered housing in the community and who supervises it

Sheltered housing in the community frameworks are managed by organizations and private companies who have been awarded a tender or have been contracted, in accordance with procedures and standards set by the Ministry of Health.
They are supervised by the Ministry of Health.

Sheltered housing – supported living in the community services and characteristics

The accompaniment for the mental contestants is done according to the wishes and needs of the contestants.
Support is provided by a professional and paraprofessional team that includes:

• social workers
• rehabilitation instructors who receive specific and ongoing training
• occupational therapists
• nurses
• psychologists and psychiatrists who serve as counselors

Who covers the cost of living in a sheltered housing – supported living in the community framework

All the expenses - rent, property tax (arnona), economy, etc. - are paid by the resident from their disability pension, National Insurance pay, and rent support from the Ministry of Housing and Construction.
Additional living costs, such as medicine, travel, clothing and more, are not included and need to be paid by the resident.
The Ministry of Health covers the employment costs of the hostel staff and activities.